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Columbia Memorial welcomes Bilak and Grant
Columbia Memorial Hospital has welcomed two new providers, Kathleen Bilak, a certified physician assistant, and Mandy Grant, a certified family nurse practitioner. Bilak is starting in a new role as a radiation oncology physician assistant at the CMH-Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Collaborative. She recently worked as a mobile primary care provider for homebound patients. She ...
Columbia County fire chiefs report low number of heat-related calls
Talking with fire agencies in Columbia County on Monday, July 8, it appears most have been following hot weather tips during this first brutal heat wave of 2024. “I would say we were probably status quo,” Columbia River Fire & Rescue Chief Eric Smythe said. “We ran the same, roughly, number of calls we normally do. Obviously, we have periods of time that are busier than others.” CRF&R recorded two...
New Asbestos/Lead testing drop box in St. Helens
The Columbia County Solid Waste Department is excited to announce the addition of a new drop box at the St. Helens Transfer Station for asbestos and lead testing services. This new drop box offers county residents a convenient and affordable way to access comprehensive testing services. Key Features include: • Multiple Asbestos Testing Turnaround Options. Choose from same-day to 5-business-day results to meet your specific needs. ...
Alex Tardif withdraws from County Commissioner election
In a surprising turn of events, Alex Tardif has withdrawn his candidacy for Position 1 of the Columbia County Commissioners, taking himself off of the ballot for the runoff election between himself and incumbent County Commissioner Margaret Magruder. Tardif’s exit from the commissioner’s race was confirmed by Columbia County Public Information Officer Mark Pacheco via email June 27. When asked what the result will be for the election, Pacheco said that Tardif’s name will not appear on the November ballot but that “everything else will...
2024 Fire Season starts
Fire Season will officially begin on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 1 a.m. This will affect all lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in the Northwest Oregon Forest Protection District. This area includes all State, private and BLM forest land in the Tillamook, Astoria, and Forest Grove Districts, which consists of Tillamook, Washington, Yamhill, Clatsop, Columbia, and Multnomah Counties, as well as portions of Lincoln County. For up-to-date information on public and industrial restrictions go to the following website: http://www.oregon.gov/odf/pages/FIRE/precautionlevel.aspx. ...
Column: Summer is finally busting out... I think
Columbia County Beekeepers Monthly meeting has been cancelled for July since it would have been on July 4th. The seedcorn maggot can be a real problem with bean, corn, and squash family seeds. By the time the gardener realizes that something is wrong and looks in the seed furrow, the damage is already done. The maggot and seed alike may have disappeared. That happened to me this year with a planting of winter squash. Recent experiments in the Midwest demonstrated that soil temperatures play a...
Columbia County’s 2024 graduates of Oregon Charter Academy
Oregon Charter Academy (ORCA) honored its 2024 class of graduating students at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, June 8. Of the nearly 320 graduating students, seven are from Rainier, Clatskanie and St. Helens. Oregon Charter Academy is the state’s first online school, established nearly 20 years ago as Oregon Connections Academy. The tuition-free virtual public charter school became independent in 2020 to better serve K-12 students throughout Oregon with advanced technology and customizable approaches to a standards-based curriculum. ...
Columbia County residents see increased costs for waste disposal
A boost in fees at the Columbia County Transfer Station has kicked in. The Columbia County Board of Commissioners recently approved a 3.6% increase in solid waste fees, effective July 1, at the St. Helens location. According to the county, disposal rates at the transfer station are adjusted annually based on the previous year’s Consumer Price Index. ...
Cooling centers to open throughout Columbia County during high heat warning
With an excessive heat warning set to envelop Northwest Oregon starting at noon on Independence Day, libraries are preparing to open their doors (during normal business hours and outside the July 4 holiday) for folks to cool off. The National Weather Service is urging people throughout northwest and west Central Oregon and and Southwest Washington to take precautions. And if you are unable to duck out of the 100+ degree weather, the chief of the Columbia River Fire & Rescue District has some advice on...
UPDATE: Cowlitz County and Rainier fairs, festivals run through September
The Lower Columbia region has fairs, festivals and fun activities scheduled through fall. Tuesday-Thursday, July 4: Cowlitz County Go Fourth Festival, Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview; parade, cardboard boat regatta, vendors, carnival, fireworks, Go Fourth Mile race; go4thfestival.com. Thursday, July 4: Kalama Summer Lights on the 4th; starting at 11:30 a.m.,...
Tardif drops from Columbia County commissioner race, leaves post at food bank
The Columbia County commissioner race is now down to one candidate, and various boards across the county may be looking for new leadership as Alex Tardif steps back from the public eye. As of this week, Tardif withdrew from the Columbia County Board of Commissioners race and appears to have left his role as executive director at the Columbia Pacific Food Bank. His continued roles at Columbia Community Mental Health and on the Scappoose school board remain unclear. ...
Mist-Birkenfeld Division Chief passes away
The firefighter community in Columbia County are in mourning, a result of the passing of Mist-Birkenfeld Division Chief Nicholas “Nick” Berg. Berg passed away unexpectedly at home on June 6.. The investigation of his death has ruled it a Line of Duty Death. “Nick was a volunteer for our Fire District for 47 years and has worked and volunteered throughout the greater Columbia County area his entire life,” ...
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